Meridian Source - December 15, 2022

Speedy Santa guided by Kiwanis

Santa is hoping he dodged a speeding ticket this week zipping around in an SUV.

“

Oh it’s a very busy time of year, all right, but it’s a very good feeling to make all these boys and girls smile.

He was in a rush to help the Lloydminster Kiwanis Club deliver 1,700 bags of Christmas treats to all elementary school boys and girls in just two days.

“Oh it’s a very busy time of year, all right, but it’s a very good feeling to make all these boys and girls smile,” said Santa, who had a couple of classes to check off his list on Tuesday.

As usual, Santa was accompanied by Kiwanis secretary, Vera Gallant, who calls this Christmas project the most fun part of the year.

“We have hit every school as of yesterday,” said Gallant, who guided Santa back to Rendell Park Elementary School on Tuesday to visit two remaining kindergarten classes.

“We’re going to see all these boys and girls and give them a treat and make them smile and I want to hear a Christmas song from them and enjoy,” explained Santa.

Unfortunately, Santa did not have time to chat with every child on his knee this year due to Gallant being the only available Kiwanis elf.

She’s asking Santa to send more members her way for 2023.

“If there is anybody out there who is interested in having a whole lot of fun, give us a call. We need you,” said Gallant.

“We are out to make a difference for every child in the world.”

At the local level, the international non-profit organization sponsors the Lloydminster Kiwanis Music Festival, for instance.

“We also have a terrific kids program in

some of the schools where children are recognized for their thoughtfulness,” said Gallant.

“The teachers pick a different theme every month and they choose

a few children who have shown those exemplary examples.”

Kiwanis also has a high school group called the Key Club, which stands for Kiwanis Educates Youth, and

teaches youth to provide community service.

“Lately, we’ve had a lot of requests to purchase iPads for nonverbal children. We just purchased a pair of hearing aids for a young

boy,” said Gallant.

“These are just some of the things we do. Check us out on Facebook or if you know a Kiwanis member, get in touch with them or call me.”

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Jonas and Aria, two students in Lisa Bender’s Kindergarten class, were all smiles on Monday as they were surprised by Santa and Kiwanis Elf Vera Gallant during the club’s annual Christmas project.

Fame Dance Studios presents: The Nutcracker

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

The Vic Juba Community Theatre is the place to be on Dec. 18 as Fame Dance Studios presents the United Youth Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker.

The production consists of 30 of Fame’s best performers ranging from 11 to 21 years of age.

“We’ve put in five months of crazy-hard work, but everyone really enjoys working on their ballet technique in a story format with hair, makeup, costumes, sets, props, and that’s one of my favourite training techniques,” said Fame’s owner/director/

teacher Sarah Makins.

“They absolutely love ballet, and it’s so nice to give them this professional opportunity in our own backyard at the Vic Juba. I can’t say enough about the Vic.”

Tickets are now available at the Vic Juba box office and are $21 for adults, $17 for students and seniors, and $13 for children five and under.

Fame will be putting on two shows on Sunday. The first runs from 3-4:30 p.m. and the second from 5:30-7 p.m.

Fame is also accepting non-perishable food items to support The Olive Tree and Salvation Army food banks.

“One of the guide -

lines to being a dancer here is to find a way to give back,” said Makins. “We’re inviting some youth groups, Big Brothers Big Sisters, some seniors’ homes and hard-working community members to come to the show, on us, as a gift, and watch the show, as a thank you for everything they do in the community.”

Makins also noted this production is more for the love of ballet and not for financial gain for the studio.

“This is for the dancers and the community, so let’s show them some support for all of their hard work,” said Makins.

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Aalbers recaps 2022 highlights

Aalbers also points to the $15 million Wellings of Lloydminster development west of Holy Rosary High School as creating another option for seniors for housing and for living in our community.

city without putting a 1,000 kilometres underneath that beer to send it to Regina then ship it back,” said Aalbers.

said Aalbers.

The highlight of the year so far for Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers is the exposure the city gained when the premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta spoke at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show.

In a year-ending review, Aalbers says the high-profile visit by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney to discuss energy put the spotlight on the city during the September show.

“It was great for the industry that is very supportive of our community and having both premiers here at the same time highlights just how important it is,” said Aalbers.

He also lists the approval to annex land for future growth from the County of Vermilion back in January as one of the top economic developments of the year.

The annexation includes 23.5 quarter sections of land along Lloydminster’s northern, western and southern boundaries within Alberta.

“This annexation will help us provide attractive options for new business and housing developments,” Aalbers said at that time.

The RM of Britannia is also proposing to designate approximately 259.20 hectares of land adjacent to the city to support future industrial growth on the east side of Lloydminster.

Also top of mind for Aalbers this year with the economy is the opening of the new Fire Station No. 1 in August.

“That was a huge piece to the infrastructure to replace the fire hall, as old as it was,” he said.

He includes the completion of the new Canadian Tire store in October among the local construction milestones of 2022.

“I understand the grand opening will be next spring because they couldn’t do Christmas and the grand opening at the same time,” Aalbers said.

On the bi-provincial red tape reduction front, the city recently broke the news about Lloydminster Alberta craft liquor manufacturers being granted an exception to deliver direct to Saskatchewan retailers.

“We did see approval of Alberta beer brewed in our city being able to be sold in the Saskatchewan side of the

A liquor retail store in Lloydminster must place an order through the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Association’s (SLGA) special order process with the exception.

SLGA will issue a purchase order to the Alberta craft alcohol producer located in Lloydminster and authorization to deliver the product named in the purchase order directly to the Saskatchewan retail store.

The next step, he says, is to have Alberta accept similar products in the city coming from Saskatchewan.

“There’s a long list of red tape items, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) being able to ship sandwiches across the city without being federally inspected,”

Looking back on the events of the past year, the mayor says it was tough picking a favourite, even with activities such as Ribfest, the Battle of Alberta Oilers and Flames alumni hockey game and the Alberta Air Tour to choose from, before settling on the Lloyd Ex Fair.

“I think having the fair back was likely my favourite event in conjunction with the chuckwagons,” said Aalbers, due to having people gather again to have fun after the pandemic.

The cost and need for the proposed $86 million Lloydminster Place event centre are the two hottest issues Aalbers and the city got feedback on from concerned taxpayers and supporters this year.

He reminds people the city completed an extensive building review and assessment process of the aging Centennial Civic Centre

to learn it had just five to eight years of remaining use due to several irrep-

arable structural and safety issues.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Giving women support Labis

thanks to a $6,200 donation from the 100+ Women Who Care Lloydminster.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” said Labis executive director, Michelle Neufeld, at a cheque presentation at their location on 44 Street last week.

Their long-term goal is to fund a new space in a quieter area of the city.

It was all smiles at Labis last week for a $6,200 cheque donation from the 100+Women Who Care Lloydminster giving group. From left: Client Brian Meagher, board chair Laurie Harris, Labiis executive director, Michelle Neufeld, 100+women reps, Sherri Stephens, Janice Haughian and Heather Dow and board member Paul Tremblay.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Life can turn on a dime with a brain injury and it can take thousands of dollars to provide survivors with

special programming and support each year.

The Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society (Labis) is better able to provide these services locally

“Any donation is substantial to this organization. This will be an incredible help and it’s great for our organization as well.”

Neufeld says every dollar they receive stays within their organization and community to provide free programs to brain injury survivors.

The donation to Labis was decided by 100+ women that meet three times a year to donate $100 each to one of the three charitable organizations the group chooses to support each time.

A total of 62 Lloydminster women met at Rolling Green in October and voted to donate $100 each to Labis with Grace United Church and Big Brothers, Big Sisters Lloydminster also making donation bids.

Aalbers says COVID and inflation have pushed up the original cost estimate, but the need for the facility will continue going forward.

“The cost is a concern and certainly, we understand that concern,” he said.

“That’s why we’re continuously looking for funding partners and looking at all the government grants we can look at to try and make this a viable project.”

The city plans to borrow about $33 million with an estimated balance of about $53 million paid for by grants and revenue funds.

He says there will be a lot more discussion yet before council passes a final motion to go forward with the project.

“We want to build and I think the community wants it, but we want to make sure people are well-informed until we get to that point,” he said

Albers says his biggest disappointment of the year is the lack of understanding at the provincial and federal levels of the cost drivers of municipalities.

He went on to explain this includes the cost of delivering the infrastructure to schools, hospitals and other fed/provincial facilities “which they don’t have an understanding of.”

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Rustlers hockey fights cancer, again

The Lakeland College King’s Energy Group Rustlers Hockey Club may have beat the Rustlers Alumni and Lloydminster and Area Women’s All-Star team 8-4, but the real winner was local healthcare and those who need it.

The Rustlers hockey club hosted its second annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Russ Robertson Arena last Saturday night and raised over $8,000 in the process. Funds from this year’s game will support the chemotherapy and cancer wards at the Lloydminster Hospital through the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation (LRHF).

“We have a holding fund for the chemotherapy and cancer ward at the hospital. Any time they need updated equipment or nurses need professional development, they put in a request to

us to enhance the chemotherapy or cancer ward within the hospital,” said LRHF CEO Stephanie Munro.

“This event definitely pulls at heartstrings. I know so many people in this room that have been impacted directly by cancer, and to see all of these women holding signs saying who they’re playing for tonight is extremely emotional.”

One of the said women was second-year winger Asha Petrie, who played for her grandfather who lost his battle with cancer in October.

“Seeing the turnout tonight and seeing how much the community supports our team, and

to be able to give back, was really special,” she said. “When we filled out the papers saying who we were playing for, last year I wrote I was playing for a cure, but this year I put my grandpa’s name and played for him.”

Goaltender Kayla Wakelin, who played the first half of Saturday’s game for the alumni team and is also a Kindergarten teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary School, also played for someone special.

“There’s a little girl in Grade 2 at my school who’s been battling cancer for the last two years, and she’s who I played for the last two

years,” said Wakelin.

“There’s lots of family members, too, that have battled cancer. It’s such a tough disease.”

One of Saturday’s guest coaches was none other than the brother of Rustlers’ head coach Morgan Mann, Merv, whose daughter and niece have both played on the team.

“I’m glad to get involved, and seeing these girls doing some fundraising and giving back, just being a part of the community and showing the community they care and want to be involved (was great),” he said.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Firefighters honoured for years of service

icated fire department and team, and we’re very proud of them,” he said.

“Some of those were volunteers before we became a composite fire department, and that shows today, 32 years, 40 years, as well as 12 years recognized.”

For Heesing, having spent almost four years fighting fires in the Border City, a 30-year career in the fire service is something he’s proud of.

nies like this.

“It’s exciting to see and it’s showing the growth of our department, the teamwork we have, and the members that are committed to serving the community of Lloydminster,” he said.

“Behind me, we have 48 years of experience just in the guys that got their 12 years of service, which is pretty awesome to see.”

Members of the public can rest easy knowing the dedication, commitment and years of experience coursing through the Lloydminster Fire Department (LFD).

On Monday afternoon, six members of the LFD were honoured with bars and medals in recognition of years in

the service.

Firefighters Stu McPhee, Keith Rushton (14 years total), Maverick Hann (14 years total), and Captain Brad Martin (16 years total) received 12-year medals of service.

Assistant fire chief Bill Heesing received a 32-year bar, and Captain Kevin Lider, who wasn’t able to attend Monday’s ceremony,

was honoured with a 40-year bar.

“Having this number of people here with 12, 30, 40 years of service, just shows the dedication these members have within the community and the level of protection the city with these members and that experience,” said Fire chief Leigh Sawicki.

“We (currently) have a lot of young mem -

bers, and we encourage new recruits. Having these types of members (being honoured today) with this level of experience that can pass that experience on to younger members, I think is incredible.”

Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers echoed Sawicki, noting the LFD is staffed by “excellent individuals.”

“We’ve got a very ded-

“Thirty years in the service is quite the accomplishment. I’m pretty excited, I’m pretty privileged to serve in the communities I’ve served in,” he said.

Heesing comes from an industrial background and started his career in the service in Fort Saskatchewan over 20 years ago before moving to Lloydminster.

Heesing also pointed out the sense of pride all members of the LFD share during ceremo -

With a career spanning three decades, Heesing said the biggest thing he’s learned over the years is to always be prepared for change.

“Change in technology, change in apparatus, change in equipment, trying and stay on top (of things) to keep the members you serve safe and keep the community safe,” he said.

“The team we have here is committed to serving the community and committed to being part of the Lloydminster fire team.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Assistant fire chief Bill Heesing, Captain Brad Martin, Captain Kevin Lider (not pictured) and firefighters Maverick Hann, Stu McPhee and Keith Rushton were honoured with medals of service on Monday outside of Lloydminster council chambers.

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Levitsky receives commendation for heroic deed

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Whether he’s prizefighting on ice while raising money for local youth sports or running into a burning building to save complete strangers, Travis Levitsky is the hero the Border City didn’t know it had.

On Oct. 30 at approximately 4 a.m., a fire broke out in several houses in the 4600 block of 20 St. in Lloydminster. Having seen the fire from his backyard, and without any concern for his own personal safety, Levitsky sprung into action, potentially saving the lives of a number of people.

For his actions, Levitsky was honoured with a special commendation for bravery and heroism on Monday from Mayor Gerald Aalbers on behalf of council and the entire City of Lloydminster.

The events of that evening sound like something out of a movie, but in that moment, it was Levitsky’s scary reality.

“Without personal regard for his own safety, Mr. Levitsky went door to door,

alerted residents of the threat to their safety and, in doing so, ensured they evacuated their homes and safely fled the danger. Mr. Levitsky went so far as to forcibly enter a residence to alert a family of the fire,” read the commendation.

“It was a later night and I decided to get in the hot tub,” said Levitsky. “Close to 4 a.m. I start to see a glowing in the backyards. Then I start to hear what sounded like pallets cracking and I thought a neighbour was having a fire. I looked again and there were 45-foot flames over my neighbour’s house.”

Levitsky arrived at the first of three houses and started banging on the door to alert residents inside to evacuate.

“I was ready to kick that door in but the guy opened up. They thought I was an intruder and didn’t want to open the door, and they didn’t even realize their house was on fire,” he said.

“I think there were five children in that house that I helped … their daughter was in the back room, and it was

close. We got two more kids out of the basement, and the dog, and then I went to the next house.”

Residents of the second house were quick to open their front door, allowing Levitsky to move onto the third house.

“I noticed the house on the other side had all the lights off. It didn’t look like anyone was there. That house was also on fire, and that’s the house with the doorbell camera (video of me kicking in the door). The smoke was so bad; they’re still not allowed in their house because of smoke damage,” he said.

“(In the video) I put my bunny hug (hoodie) up and kind of fell backwards because I couldn’t breathe. If I didn’t get into that house on the second kick they probably would have found me on the step because I was starting to get fuzzy. I’m glad it only took me two kicks because there wouldn’t have been a third kick out of me.”

So, what was Levitsky thinking while risking his own life to save others?

“The only thing that went through my mind was ‘it’s almost four in the morning, these people are sleeping and they have no idea what’s going on,’ and all I thought about was ‘what if this was my family or friends in that house?’ That was the only thing going through my mind is these people need help.”

Mayor Aalbers applauded Levitsky’s bravery stating it’s not something everyone would do.

“Mr. Levitsky’s actions speak to his commitment to

the community and to his fellow people. Kicking in the door of a house to wake somebody up because their house is burning, a lot of people would just say ‘no, that’s why there’s a fire department, they’ll do that,’” he said.

“He went above and beyond and those people are here today and able to be with us today (because of his actions).”

Fire Chief Leigh Sawicki stated the cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.

Janice Haughian says the Labis fund is one of their smallest donations and its the first since COVID.

“I think especially after COVID, a lot of non-profits are really in need, so we hope we can just keep giving more money,” she said, noting their largest donation ever was $28,000.

Haughian is one of four founding members of 100+ women in Lloyd along with Tricia Hunter, Heather Dow and Sherri Stephens

who are hoping to meet next at the LloydMall in February.

Labis board member Paul Tremblay thinks what helped Labis get the nod for the donation was him explaining how Labis provides a place for his 44-yearold son Jeff to show how they benefit braininjured clients.

Jeff lives at the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre but Paul says there’s not too many his age there and the activities aren’t geared to younger people.

“Labis helps him out

as a place to go. He gets to know the people here,” said Paul.

Jeff went into cardiac arrest from an assault when he was 18 leaving him braindamaged.

“Once he had a brain injury, the friends he had moved on, so coming here he’s able to establish that again and be part of something,” said Paul who thinks Labis makes a difference to his son who can’t speak for himself but can smile.

“He enjoys it here and is able to take part

in activities and outings. He likes going to the movies. They do outings like fishing and walks on the track in the winter and outside in the summer.”

Labis’s fundraising goal for a new location could gather momentum by the spring of 2023 when students at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School release some video of the facility.

“We have students who are taking video to show the impact the 100+women’s had on non-profits in Lloyd -

minster,” said teacher Alan Griffith.

“It’s for Labis and students. We use it as a way to give back to the community but also a way to train our students for skills projects coming up in the new year.”

Griffith used his own camera to videotape the cheque presentation for the project.

“I had students with me the other day when we were recording and I will have them with me again this afternoon,” he said.

The school plans to

release them on the 100+Women Lloydminster website.

The project might include a testimonial about Labis by client Debb Davies who has been struggling with her brain injury for the past 34 years.

“The ego has taken it really hard having a brain injury all these years,” said Davies.

“Here I’m just like everybody else. Here I’m not different I’m not brain-injured. I can laugh I can have fun I can be with my friends.”

Travis Levitsky received a special commendation for bravery and heroism from Mayor Gerald Aalbers on Monday. Taylor Weaver Photo

Kindness comes full circle at Rendell

book posts out loud to her class about 12 Days of Giving projects carried out by Amanda and Trevor Wilhauk in Spruce Grove, where they own Wilhauk Beef Jerky.

“So, every day, I would read and I would cry at some and some had a heartwarming end—and just so enjoyable. I feel like a lot of us have a lot, and it’s best to give,” said Hurd.

“We would talk in class about how grateful we are and people that are less fortunate.”

The deed prompted the couple to pay it forward to the entire school with the delivery of free pizzas from Papa John’s and a presentation to Hurd at a school assembly last week.

Amanda’s husband dressed as the Grinch to the delight of the youngsters.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Acts of kindness tend to become contagious at this time of the year thanks to social media and seasonal goodwill.

Rendell Park Elementary School caught the bug recently thanks to teacher Stephanie Hurd.

A few years ago she started reading Face -

A couple of years ago Hurd’s students sent Christmas cards and $10 each to help the Wilhauk family provide for three needy families in their area.

“The reason we are here today is because I found out there is a teacher in Lloydminster that reads our posts every single morning to her class,” said Amanda.

“So, she’s teaching you guys about kindness and she’s spreading kindness.”

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Kindness pays off. Rendell Park Elementary School teacher Stephanie Hurd, left, received a $2,000 donation from Trevor (Grinch) and Amanda Wilhauk, who own Wilhauk Beef Jerky in Spruce Grove, to thank Hurd’s students for supporting one of their projects. They also provided pizza for every student one day last week.

She went on to speak about the impact of receiving those Christmas cards and money from students, donated by Hurd and her former afternoon teaching partner, Scott Lyons, before he retired.

It’s important year-round, but this seems to be the bigger time of need for people.

“I was just so floored by the fact there was a teacher teaching and sharing all this kindness. I was so amazed,” said Amanda.

“We are so busy in December and that stopped me right in my tracks. We read every single handwritten note from the students so thank you so much.”

She and Trevor took the opportunity to present Hurd with a cheque for $2,000 for her to spread more kindness locally.

“I’m allowed to spread it to whomever I want to and I’m going to choose the Lloydminster HUB of Healing,” said Hurd.

“They’re actually going to come and speak to all Grade 6 students on Thursday morning (Dec. 7).”

Hurd says it is all so amazing for her and the school.

“It’s very special to be recognized in this way,” she said.

School principal, Sheldon Gallagher, says the event is likely the highlight of the entire school year.

“It’s pretty cool and it’s neat to see how many connections there are amongst people. Social media really helps draw that out,” he said.

“It’s a pretty amazing sign of kindness from that family.”

Trevor the Grinch calls Hurd a fantastic lady.

“I like everything she does,” noting the timing of her school’s donation a couple of years ago to one of their 12 Days of Giving projects to spread kindness.

“It’s important yearround, but this seems to be the bigger time of need for people.”

Gallagher also gave a shoutout to Hurd, who can continue to spread kindness with the cheque donation.

“She’s already continuing her journey of giving back and it’s pretty special,” he said.

“She’s a good staff member and a good person in the community. I am very proud of her.”

Trevor noted he is no stranger to Lloydminster, having some family members here and some recreational ties.

“Growing up playing hockey, I played a few tournaments here and my son’s had a few tournaments here as well,” he said.

Trevor’s dad and uncles started the business in Leduc more than 50 years ago and Amanda recently opened their second location in the West Edmonton Mall.

They originally started 12 Days of Giving to thank customers for coming to their store.

Viewpoint

‘Tis the season to gift turkeys

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RUSTLERS FROM PAGE 5

Merv also noted it was nice to see every player carrying a constant smile while on the ice.

“It’s a little refreshing. Sometimes when you’re playing the game you don’t realize it’s about fun, and today really showed just how fun it can be,” he said.

“The girls were conscientious changing (lines) and letting the other girls play, just out there smiling and so happy for their teammates. It was a ton of fun.”

On behalf of the health foundation, Munro wanted to extend thanks to everyone who supported the game.

“The list of people to thank is abundant, but the people in Lloydminster are so amazing,” she said.

“Because of them, the chemotherapy and cancer fund at the hospital will have available resources for accessing the department when needed.”

Supplied Photo

‘Tis the season for giving, and for several years, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 Marshall has been doing just that. Joe Hodd, Legion member and army veteran, and Marshall Legion president, Kevin McKevitt, proudly present Lisa Henry, principal of Marshall School, with some turkeys to support their Christmas lunch! The lunch is enjoyed by students, staff and the community of Marshall!

Reid Keebaugh

Production Manager: Amanda Richard

Leeway from Lloyd: “Lettuce” invest in indoor farming

STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

I have always thought Lloydminster needs to attract an agricultural facility to diversify the economy and to supply the regional market with local, low-cost food.

The perfect fit could be a business like GoodLeaf Farms, an indoor lettuce and microgreens farming operation in Ontario that is expanding to Calgary and Montreal. Why not here, too?

What the company does is grow lettuce vertically, nurtured by LED lights so they can grow acres and acres of crops 24/7 in a small warehouse with plants stacked on top of each other.

In addition, the ware-

house can be located in low-rent areas and shipped to local food retailers at a minimal cost.

GreenLeaf’s expansion is backed by McCain Foods Ltd. and the agriculture investing arm of Quebec insurance giant Power Corp.

Growing food indoors close to home is a solution to importing produce from California where climate change is wreaking havoc on the industry and inflating prices for consumers.

Growing indoors also protects the plants from hail, wind, heat and insects, too.

In addition, because it’s grown indoors, there’s no emissions from farm machinery or the expense of high-volume fertilizers or pesticides either.

It may also be a good

way to attract more young tech-savvy farmers as GreenLeaf is proving to be profitable and the demand for food is rising.

In addition, growing food indoors doesn’t take away valuable farmland for other export crops and there are plenty of empty buildings everywhere.

The idea is well suited to the Prairies where there is lots of sunshine year round to power solar panels to generate

electricity for low-watt LED lights and store energy during a power failure.

Vertical indoor farming makes sense in Canada where we have a short growing season that is becoming

increasingly vulnerable to climate change.

With the cost of lettuce and vegetables at astronomical prices, local vertical farming may be worth the investment.

Someone needs to

call GreenLeaf and tell them we’ve got the expertise and the talent right here at Lakeland College to run a plant for them. Tell them Geoff says lettuce is the same colour as money, so let’s grow both.

Church Directory

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.

Playschool Pre-registration

Southridge Playschool & Kindergym has opened up their registration for the fall 20222023 classes. They offer one day a week for three-year-olds and one or two days a week for four and five-year-olds. They have also qualified for the Affordability Grant! For more information please call Mrs. P at 780-872-9523.

Bingo at the Moose

The Moose Lodge,

located at 5213-57 Street, Lloydminster, hosts bingo nights every Monday and Wednesday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. The Moose also hosts crib tournaments every second Sunday of the month. Start time is 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is $12.

Spades Tourney

The Legacy Centre is hosting a spades tournament today with play beginning at 10 a.m. Cost to play is $10 and

Passport to YLL

To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 306-825-5147

lunch is available for $12 per person. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780875-4584 for more information.

Christmas Jamboree/Dance

The Legacy Centre is hosting a Christmas jamboree/dance on Dec. 16. Doors open and dancin’ at 5 p.m. (Band - Memory Lane) and supper is at 6 p.m., then the jam begins! The cost is $15/person at the door. All inter -

ested musicians and all other inquiries are asked to call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584. All members and guests welcome!

Moose Breakfast

The Moose Lodge, located at 5213 57 Street, Lloydminster, Alta., will be hosting a breakfast on Dec. 18 from 8:3011 a.m. The cost is $10 per plate and everyone is welcome.

JAMBOREE

There will be a jamboree on Dec. 18 in the Islay Community Hall. Admission is $10, participants free. Lunch will be served. For more info, call Dixie at 780744-2204. Funds raised support maintenance of our hall.

Seniors’ Society AGM

The Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society is hosting its AGM on Dec. 19 at the Legacy Centre. The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Legacy Main Hall. All members are encouraged to attend. For more info, contact the Legacy office at 780-875-4584.

Cribbage Doubles Tourney

The Legacy Centre is hosting a cribbage doubles tournament on Dec. 22. Play begins at 10 a.m. Cost to play is $10 and lunch is available for $12 per person. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more information.

Light

Paul Dusseault, (bottom right) from the Edmonton Riverview Rotary Club, provided a Zoom update of an eye surgery mission to Ecuador in September supported by the Rotary Club of Lloydminster. Pictured are some of the team members who performed 79 cataract surgeries in five days. A second mission is planned for next September. The Lloyd club donated $5,00 to the first project. Team members pay their own expenses.

ters Lloydminster is encouraging residents to help ignite a little spark this holiday season with its Light the Lights campaign. From Nov. 16 to Dec. 23, BBBS will be brightening up its office, and you can help. BBBS will be putting up strings of lights and donations are being accepted to get your name put on a strand of lights. Once a strand is full of names, the strand will be plugged in to light the lights. Donations can be made for yourself, as a family, as a gift for someone, in memory of someone, sponsor a strand as a business, get the kids involved ... the possibilities to make a difference are endless! Call 306-825-5757 for more details. Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax receipt.

New Year’s Eve at the Legacy

p.m. Dance into 2023 to the tunes of Memory Lane from Saskatoon. Lunch served at 10:30 p.m. All members and guests welcome!

ADVANCE TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED OR RESERVED by noon on Friday, Dec. 30. Cost is $35/member or $40/ non-member. Call the Legacy office for more info or to reserve your tickets at 780-875-4584.

Robbie Burns Nite

the Lights

Big Brothers Big Sis -

Tickets are currently on sale for the Legacy Centre’s New Year’s Eve dance. Cocktails at 7:30 p.m. with dancing at 8

The Edgerton & District Historical Society is sponsoring the 33rd Annual Robbie Burns Nite at the Edgerton Agricultural Hall on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Happy Hour and Silent Auction begin at 5:30 p.m., and supper at 6:30 p.m. with a ceilidh to follow. Tickets are available at the Edgerton Village Office at 780-755-3933 or Toys and Treasures, Wainwright at 780-842-3903 or at the door. Adults are $30.00 and children 12 and under are $5.00. Contact Louise at 780755-2189 for more info.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

St. Joe’s students spread Christmas cheer to seniors

has made cards, and it won’t be the last.

“My class decided they wanted to do something nice for seniors, especially those in seniors’ homes that might not be able to see their families as much this Christmas, or they might be in different cities, so we thought we’d put a smile on seniors’ faces by making them Christmas cards,” she said.

praying for you.”

Lerisa’s classmate, Reeve Hunt, is also wishing seniors a Merry Christmas in his cards and noted the importance of giving and receiving cards.

“When I give a card, it feels nice because it’s nice to know that you put your hard work into the card, and someone else can enjoy that. That’s nice to know, and it feels good,” said Reeve.

school division and being able to talk about God, Jesus and what the real meaning of Christmas is.

Students in Ashlee Foster’s Grade 7 class at St. Joseph Elementary School were in the Christmas spirit this week as they prepared holiday greeting cards for area seniors.

With the overall goal of putting smiles on the faces of seniors, Foster explained this is the fourth year her class

“On Monday, our class also went to a different seniors’ home and sang and played our instruments for them. It’s nice to remember that seniors are an important part of our community.”

One of Foster’s students, Lerisa Mack, explained she had a lot of fun making cards for seniors, and felt great making others happy.

“The message I’m putting in the cards is ‘Have a happy new year, we’re wishing you the best and we’re

“Bringing joy to the seniors is important because they’re nice people and they’ve lived a long time. It feels nice to make people feel good.”

For Foster, another important element to spreading Christmas joy is keeping the true meaning of Christmas in the minds of students.

“It’s the most important for me to be a part of a Catholic community at Christmas,” she said.

“I thank God every day for teaching in this

“We actually did Santa letters in our class and we wrote three things. We wrote something that you wanted, something you were thankful for, and the real meaning of Christmas, so it’s nice to remember the true meaning of Christmas, and being in a Catholic school, I can talk about that, no problem.”

Foster explained her class also recently “adopted” a local senior through a new Lloydminster Learning Council program.

“We’re also doing a pen pal program, organized by the Lloydminster Learning Council, so we actually ‘adopted’ a senior to write letters to,” she said.

“We’ve sung for seniors, we’re writing letters to one, and now we’re making Christmas cards for seniors.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Sports

Gilby set for dry land rowing

GEOFF LEE WRITER

The Lloydminster Rowing Club will be on dry land for a while with the Saskatchewan indoor winter erg series just underway.

Club president, Michelle Lopez, reports

dry land training is continuing for the highperformance athletes including teen phenom, Liam Gilby, who is coming off a heady rookie season.

“This was a huge first year, filled with success, learning and progress,”

said Lopez.

“Liam’s race times have improved significantly. He gained a lot of racing experience and exposure on the Canadian rowing stage.”

The Grade 12 Holy Rosary High School stu-

dent wrapped up competition with a fourthplace finish in the F-finals at the National Rowing Championship (NRC) Regatta at Quamichan Lake in Duncan, B.C. Nov. 10-13.

“NRCs was a very fun regatta. I had two races the first day then my final race the second day,” recalled Gilby.

“We are now in our winter season, so the team and I are training hard for our next summer on-water season.”

The bulk of club rowers will be getting details about dry land exercises set to start in a new downtown training space in the basement of the old Servus Credit Union in January.

The space is equipped with 10 rowing machines, including six new ones, thanks to some funding from

Rowing Canada. Special programming will be provided for rowers ages 12 and

up with prices to be released soon.

Supplied Photo

Liam Gilby, a young member of the Lloydminster Rowing Club, is hoping his success on the water will help him get recruited for rowing by Canadian universities next fall. The club has a new indoor rowing facility in the basement of the downtown Servus Credit Union building.

The winding road that is life

was enough to establish a new career as a selfemployed management consultant.

You know, there are times in life when opportunities are thrown in front of you that results just can’t be foreseen.

I was going through a rough patch with my confidence wondering if 25 years of experience working for others

Would anyone want to hire me? After all, I was just a country boy without an MBA working from my worldwide office on the family farm in NW Saskatchewan.

I thought I had the right stuff, but of course, it needed to be proven in the real

world. Nobody calls a consultant when they are having fun!

The phone rings and out of the blue, I am asked if I would be willing to take on the challenge of developing Canada’s first urban health centre for indigenous peoples.

Would I? You bet! Can I start tomorrow?

Then, just as that project was wrapping up, I get another call, this time it is to help two large health organizations create a joint venture for specialized long-term care.

From there, I went on to facilitate over 20 other joint ventures or public/private partnerships, meeting some

very talented folk along the way.

And learning a great deal about people and organizations.

One of the executive teams I had been working with broke away to start a new technology company from scratch.

The principal shareholder was by this time a good friend and he asked if I could give them some coaching.

But there was one catch; they only had the funds to pay my expenses, and compensation was only promised if they became successful as some indefinite time down the road.

Heck, it was an interesting challenge, so off to Winnipeg, Montreal,

and Toronto I go, helping them get focused on a strategy to break into their specific market.

They launched, and frankly, I lost contact with them for 10 years.

By this time, I had enough of being away from home 150 nights per year, so had switched over to establishing a real estate career, doing my best to get it on solid ground at an economic time when even veteran Realtors were struggling.

One Saturday, the phone rings; it was my old friend. He had just sold his company to a U.S.-based multinational and wanted to know where to send the cheque?

Cheque, what cheque?

What I hadn’t known was he had quietly retained some shares in trust for me, and upon sale, cashed them in.

We put the funds into education savings for our grandchildren.

So, you just never know how the decisions and actions you make today will impact your future. Karma, I guess.

Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster and an active partner in his family’s livestock operation.

Comments on this article are welcome either by emailing vernmcclelland@remax.net or calling 306-821-0611.

FROM PAGE 16

Lopez notes the erg series is presented by the Saskatchewan Rowing Association.

“Basically, it is a series of workouts to

test your fitness and rowing ability against members of Saskatchewan Rowing,” explained Lopez.

“Each of these workouts has a specific date that the results need to be submitted.”

Rowers can make as many attempts at achieving success as they wish and complete the workouts at local gyms, in their own homes or connect with the Lloydminster Rowing club to set a time to complete the workout piece.

Gilby says his goal in rowing is “to always improve and show that the Lloyd rowing club puts out respectful and

fast athletes.”

Lopez notes Gilby had a productive summer racing in the Regina Sprints and the Alberta Open and Dino Sprints in Calgary, and even made Team Saskatchewan for the Canada Summer Games.

As his local coach, she thinks Gilby is a shoo-in to be recruited to a university next fall.

“The races he has done and the success he has had has given him excellent opportunities for exposure and the opportunity to meet and connect with Canadian university coaches,” she said.

Gilby agrees his game plan in 2023 is to fol -

low in the footsteps of other Lloydminster club rowers Shelby Lane and Lopez’s son, Elijah, who compete at the university level.

“Hopefully, I will get into university for rowing. I have been talking to a couple of universities such as Queens, UVic and U of S,” he said.

Gilby also took the time to talk about who inspired him to take up the sport and excel at it.

“My mom rowed a couple of times when she was younger with Dr. Raff Sayeed and the person that gave me the most support is my coach Michelle Lopez,” he said.

ROWING

Careers

Lloydminster area active in land sale

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

The December public sale of Saskatchewan’s Crown petroleum and natural gas rights generated $11.9 million in revenue for the province.

The Dec. 6 sale was the fifth of six oil and

gas public offerings scheduled for the 202223 fiscal year, with a total of $46,105,597.68.

The Lloydminster area also saw considerable interest, bringing in $2,276,702.98 for 22 leases and 2 exploration licences covering

7,576.444 hectares.

The Estevan area saw the most interest, bringing in $9,602,654.64 for 76 leases covering 8,217.836 ha.

Of the 136 parcels posted, 103 received acceptable bids covering 16,184.469 ha.

The average bonus bid was $736.34 per hectare with the highest accepted bid at $36,594.80 per ha.

The highest bonus bid received on a lease was $2,321,754.22 for a 259.657-hectare lease west of Oxbow, which

was awarded to Millennium Land Ltd. The highest bonus bid received on an exploration licence was $602,881.93 for a 1,688.272 ha licence west of Cut Knife that was awarded to Metropolitan Resources Inc.

The sale brings the calendar total to $52,249,842.10 in revenue raised. This amount is a substantial increase over the 2021 calendar year, which brought in $9.1 million in revenue.

The next sale is scheduled for Feb. 7.

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GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $995 to get your message out! Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna. com for details. 1-800282-6903, 780-434-8746 X225. www.awna.com.

Classifieds

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 51 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306649.1405 or visit www. swna.com for details.

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HEALTH

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AUCTIONS

MEIER UNRESERVED GUN & SPORTSMAN AUCTION. Saturday, Dec 17 - 10AM, 4740 57 St. Wetaskiwin, AB. Consign Now. Free Pickup. Phone 780-440-1860. Visit www.meierauction.com for more details.

LAND FOR SALE

FARMLAND AND PASTURE LAND BY SASKATCHEWAN RIVER. 160 acres. Best hunting in Saskatchewan. Excellent fishing. Thick pine & poplar bluffs, by water coulee. Old yard site with power and water. Revenue Potential. East of Prince Albert, SK. $248,000. Call Doug 306-716-2671.

NOTICES

ATTENTION RESIDENTS OF LLOYDMINSTER:

If you currently receive a Meridian Source paper on a regular basis, please call our office at 306-825-5111 to inform our staff of any weeks you do not receive a paper.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES

NOW HIRING: Alberta Licensed Security Guards for security gates in remote locations of NW Alberta. Full-time & seasonal work available, starting immediately! Learn more at www.servicemasterssecurity.com. BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269 (based on 25 words or less). Reach almost 90 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-282-6903 Ext 225; www.awna.com.

FINANCIAL

Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-4051228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca

3 QUARTERS OF CROPLAND South of Weyburn, SK. Distressed sale. Priced below market at 1.27 x assessment, with a 4% return with lease. $594,800.00. Call Doug at 306-716-2671.

BUILDINGS FOR SALE

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt. com 1-866-974-7678 www.integritybuilt.com.

EQUIPMENT OPERATORS REQUIRED: motor scrapers, dozers, excavators, graders, rock trucks. Lots of work all season. Camp job; R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land. NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way. Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com FARMLAND WANTED Integrity Post Frame Buildings SINCE 2008 Built with Concrete Posts Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and More sales@ Integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com is on social media! Follow us on Facebook to see award-winning content in Saskatchewan community newspapers. SCAN HERE SWNA can take you to every community in the province. www.swna.com

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